SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 46 Linked Discourses on the Awakening Factors – Bojjhaṅgasaṁyutta > SN 46.12 The Simile of the Sun (1st)

Linked Discourses 46.12 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 46.12

2. Sick – 2. Gilānavagga

SN 46.12 The Simile of the Sun (1st) – Paṭhamasūriyūpamasutta

“Bhikkhū, the dawn is the forerunner and precursor of the sunrise.

“Sūriyassa, bhikkhave, udayato etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁ—aruṇuggaṁ;

In the same way, for a bhikkhu good friendship is the forerunner and precursor of the arising of the seven awakening factors.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ uppādāya etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ nimittaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā.

A bhikkhu with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors.

Kalyāṇamittassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—satta bojjhaṅge bhāvessati, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarissati.

And how does a bhikkhu with good friends develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaroti?

It’s when a bhikkhu develops the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, samādhi,

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…

and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go.

upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

That’s how a bhikkhu with good friends develops and cultivates the seven awakening factors.”

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarotī”ti.